TNAG-2708-FCO40-3914-House-of-Commons-Select-Committee-on-Foreign-Affairs-and-Par-1993 — Page 29

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6. ARTICLE XIX REPORT ON PRESS FREEDOM

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Agree with report that strengthening Hong Kong's democratic institutions is the best guarantee of freedom of the press. As the report indicates, Hong Kong is fortunate in having a press which is surely the most free of any in Asia.

The Hong Kong Government is undertaking a review of laws

which might jeopardise press freedom and the case for a

Freedom of Information Ordinance.

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The Hong Kong Government believes that a Human Rights

Commission is not necessary in Hong Kong given the existing

avenues for redressing grievances arising from human rights

complaints and the active role being played by the courts.

How can International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights

apply in Hong Kong after 1997 if China is not a party?

- We have urged China to become a party to the Covenant.

- If they do not, we will need to discuss with them how the

Government, and other international agreements to which

China is not a party, will continue to apply in Hong Kong

after 1997.

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